Contents
Thrombosis
Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein, blocking the flow of blood to the heart. Most often, thrombosis manifests itself in the form of pain and swelling in the area where the blood clot forms. It is important to distinguish between the types of thrombosis, since a blood clot can form in any blood vessel in the body and even in the heart area, which leads to various consequences.
Thrombosis of veins or arteries
If a blood clot forms in an artery, then such thrombosis is called arterial thrombosis. Arterial thrombosis is often the cause of myocardial infarction or stroke. In venous thrombosis, thrombosis of superficial and deep veins is distinguished. Superficial vein thrombosis is also called thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the veins), and often occurs with varicose veins or inflammation of the venous walls. Through the junction of the veins, the blood clot can penetrate into the deep veins. In this case we are talking about deep venous thrombosis.
Vein thrombosis in the legs is most common
Most often, thrombosis occurs in the veins of the legs, but, nevertheless, vessels anywhere in the body can be affected. Less common is thrombosis in the arms or pelvis. No matter what area of the body is affected, the symptoms will be the same.
If a blood clot detaches from the vascular wall, a dangerous pulmonary embolism may occur. Therefore, it is extremely important to promptly identify the signs and symptoms of thrombosis and consult a hematologist.
It is not always possible to recognize the symptoms of thrombosis
With thrombosis, a blood clot blocks a vein completely or partially, which leads to more or less pronounced stagnation of blood, nagging pain, swelling and hyperthermia (overheating of the body). The absence of typical symptoms is often observed: some patients feel only mild sensitivity when pressing on the site of a blood clot or complain of pain similar to muscle pain. Also, such classic symptoms of thrombosis as pain in the calf muscle when putting on shoes or pain when pressing on the sole of the foot are not always observed.
In addition, the following symptoms may indicate thrombosis:
- Blue skin (cyanosis)
- Protruding veins on the surface of the skin
- Firm, shiny skin and a feeling of tension in this area of the skin
- Pain when squeezing or pressing on the calf muscle
- Temperature
- Increased heart rate (HR)
Contact your doctor if you suspect you have thrombosis
If you notice the symptoms described above or other symptoms that indicate thrombosis, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Pay attention to possible signs of thrombosis if you travel for a long time by car, bus or plane. Remember that staying in one position for a long time without movement increases the risk of thrombosis.
Diagnosing thrombosis using ultrasound
If thrombosis is suspected, the doctor will review the patient’s medical record and also conduct a survey about possible risk factors and the presence of symptoms. A doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis through an examination of the patient and a blood test.
However, it is possible to make an accurate diagnosis using compression ultrasound. In this case, using an ultrasound, the doctor will determine the presence of elasticity in the veins, and will also find out whether blood circulation is affected. If the diagnosis is unclear, the doctor will take an x-ray with a contrast agent, which can accurately determine the presence of thrombosis.